Letters

Editor,

The 15 acres were donated by the Fosters for a high school. In 2003, a Foster City study determined the highest and best use for the land was a high school. In 2003, a City Council resolution reserved the 15 acres for a high school at least until 2008 (why the rush?).

While some on the council steadfastly declare the city and schools separate entities, San Carlos and Mountain View established precedent for cities to help fund school facilities and did this year.

Still other members of the City Council stated the city would "assist” in finding a high school building in Foster City (what does that mean, that they will act as Realtors, or they will subsidize a down payment?), there are only four such qualified buildings in Foster City, one just recently sold and is not feasible, one is for sale for $10+ million which is too expensive. The other two are in industrial areas and off limits. I wish the City Council would clarify instead of speaking in vague tongues.

It would only take two of the 15 acres for a charter school. I personally know of two developers interested in buying the land and building a school on those two acres while developing the rest of the property. The other entities would share operational expenses.

Taxes already dramatically increased statewide by billions of dollars, and nearly every municipality has a windfall in cash. Poor mouth is no longer an excuse.

The mere presence of a public charter high school in Foster City would increase taxes by millions, according to studies. This apparently is a debatable point in Foster City, just not the rest of the world. People pay more to live near good schools.

Why would the city fail to act in its fiduciary capacity as stewards of the treasury by disputing the data that supports this theory. The city should invest in a high school and the tax revenue will be over 1,000 percent, according to these studies.

It would be an alternative school to about 500 kids who may not wish to attend one of the large comprehensive schools. Does everyone see that the facts show that there is a logical solution to the disposition of the 15 acres?

Peter Hayden

Foster City

Reality check

Editor,

Well, it was an interesting experience when one or two other rational friends and I went down to the Century Theater complex in San Mateo on Friday and Saturday evenings, May 20 and May 21 to counter-protest the Catholic protesters of the Da Vinci Code movie. Wow, there were about 20 of them. I was impressed. As an anti-Bush and anti-war protestor, I usually can’t get more than a dozen people off their duffs to join me. They also had expensive looking, professionally made signs, featuring a full color picture of the mythical Jesus, blood streaming down his face from his crown of thorns. Couldn’t the poor have used that sign money?

We tried to have a dialogue with several of the protesters, but it just didn’t work. I got their point that the Da Vinci Code plot — advertised as fiction — varied from the "gospel truth,” and is therefore "blasphemy.” But it seemed they either wouldn’t listen or totally rejected my counter point that it’s all just fiction anyway. Relax and enjoy the movie, or not. It doesn’t matter to me. What does matter, I think, is that people of all ages might want to just check and see whether or not there is any real, hard, scientific evidence to support whatever they believe on any subject.

Don Havis

San Mateo

Recommending Jo

Editor,

I am pleased that, while the Daily Journal endorsed Rich Gordon for supervisor, you did say good things about Jo Chamberlain. I am displeased that you advised that she should "keep national politics out of the race.”

I know that "all politics are local.” I am a member of the Peace Is A Local Issue Alliance (PIALIA). We are people who see the connection between the drastic cuts in our domestic programs and the unlimited funds for war. Our current national administration is beating the war drums for an attack on Iran.

Iran has a lot of oil under their sand. Iran is talking about selling their oil for euros instead of dollars. This is just what Iraq did before we attacked them. The United States is now making plans to attack Iran. Duh. It’s about the oil and the stability of the dollar.

Jo, as our supervisor, will bring the attention of our county government to the folly of Americans continuing to burn so much oil. We need to reduce our consumption of oil and go to renewable sources of energy.

In this way we can slow down global warming and not have to go to war for more oil.

Jo, as our supervisor, will propose funding for new systems of renewable energy. She will vote to increase funding for public transportation.

Jo, by seeing the national picture, will serve us well as a county supervisor.

Patricia Gray

Burlingame

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